Archives 101
Celia Caust-Ellenbogen
Associate Curator (Friends Historical Library)
HIST 126A, Prof. Megan Brown, Fall 2025
Intro to primary sources & archives
Using the Archives & Manuscripts catalog to find sources at Swarthmore
Archival research tips
Resources for more information
What kinds of sources can you find in Special Collections?
From individual people and families:
- letters, diaries, scrapbooks / photo albums
- collections of "personal papers"
Organizations create records through the course of doing their work:
• Notes/minutes taken during meetings
• Newsletters, annual reports, other publications
• Photographs taken of speeches or protest marches
You'll hear these records referred to as the archives of the organization.
This information is about the collection overall
This is the contents of the collection. Click on any item to learn more.
Click this button to get all the info you need to request materials
Your turn!
Navigate to the Archives & Manuscripts catalog
Try a keyword and find a collection of interest
Notice what college/library you would visit to see the collection
Prepare for your visit
Do:
- Schedule an appointment
- Request materials in advance
- Talk to the archivist(s)
Don't:
- Bring food or drink
- Bring pens
- Forget to record/photograph citation info!
- Handle materials carefully
- Place folders/materials flat on the table
- Keep folders and pages in order
Swarthmore College Special Collections website
Using Archives and Special Collections (Tri-Co) Research Guide
https://guides.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/using-special-collections
- Link to our catalogs and appointment booker
- Get tips on navigating our catalogs
- Learn archival research skills: how to cite archival materials, read handwriting, evaluate primary sources
Get paid to use primary sources
Seniors not eligible - sorry!
Black History & Genealogy Fellowship
Apply via Academic Division Opportunities in January/February
- Complete a semi-independent project
-
$6,000 to work full time, 10 weeks, in summer
Summer Library/Archives Assistants
Apply on JobX in February
- Work FULL TIME in our relaxed (and cool!) spaces
- Try out a variety of projects behind the scenes
Moore Student Fellowship
Apply in March
- Earn $400-$600 stipend for 20-30 research hours
- Choose YOUR topic using archival resources
What's next?
• Today: Sahr will propose some topics for your class's research workshop
• After class: Search the TriCo Archives & Manuscripts catalog archives.tricolib.brynmawr.edu to select a box you're interested in, on that topic, held at Swarthmore
• Oct. 1: Submit your request to specialcollections@swarthmore.edu and CC Prof. Brown
• Nov 5: Pop-up Reading Room experience during class
HIST 126A (Archives intro) 2025
By Swarthmore Reference
